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July 5th, 2011
What is detoxification? Detoxification, or detox, is one of the first steps and the core element in a drug treatment program is the process of allowing the body to rid itself of a drug while managing the symptoms of withdrawal. That step is called detoxification. There are several types of detoxification; alcohol detoxification, drug detoxification, metabolic detoxification and alternative medicine. This article will address alcohol and drug detoxification.
Detoxification Is Usually The First Step
During the process of detoxification, withdrawal symptoms can occur after long-term use of a drug has been reduced or stopped and should be treated. Withdrawal has physical and mental symptoms which vary in length and severity based on the type of drug.
During alcohol detoxification, a heavy drinker’s system is brought back to normal after being used to having alcohol in his/her system on a continual basis. A decrease in the production of GABA, a reuptake inhibitor, occurs in serious alcohol addiction. Severe health problems or even fatal results can occur if the individual stops drinking alcohol abruptly without medical management.
During drug detoxification, the addicted individual also goes through withdrawal and can have serious symptoms. The detoxification process helps to reduce or relieve the symptoms, either with medication or abstinence, while helping the addict adjust to living without the drug. Drug detoxification is an early step in long-term treatment. A residential community program that lasts several months will be used for drug detoxification and treatment rather than a medical center.
Most Centers Provide Detoxification As The Start To Recovery
Most detox centers provide treatment to avoid the physical withdrawal symptoms of the individual who is a drug user or alcoholic. The center will also incorporate counseling and therapy during detoxification to help with withdrawal symptoms.
Remember, detoxification is not a treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction, but the first step for treatment. Other treatments must be used to deal with the underlying addiction that caused alcohol or drug use.